EduAsiaNews,Taiwan – Students from National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University (NYCU) are spending two months in Northern California this summer, conducting research at some of the world’s leading universities while gaining firsthand exposure to Silicon Valley’s innovation ecosystem.
The Department of Electrical Engineering selected outstanding third- and fourth-year students to undertake research placements at Stanford University, the University of California, Berkeley, and the University of California, Davis. Their research spans artificial intelligence, robotics, integrated circuit design, satellite communications, biomedical microelectromechanical systems (BioMEMS), sensors, and particle physics.
The program is designed to immerse students in international research environments at an early stage, strengthening their technical expertise, collaborative abilities, and problem-solving skills.
Experience in World-Class Research Laboratories
At UC Berkeley’s Berkeley Sensor & Actuator Center (BSAC), student Pei-Hu Chang is conducting research on BioMEMS and analog integrated circuits. The interdisciplinary research center brings together experts in electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, and biomedicine, providing valuable insight into cross-disciplinary collaboration.
Chang noted that integrated circuit design at BSAC is closely linked with BioMEMS and biomedical sensing, helping him understand the interdisciplinary competencies that will become increasingly important in the semiconductor industry.
Meanwhile, Yuan-Ting Lin, who is engaged in artificial intelligence and robotics research, observed that U.S. laboratories place strong emphasis on independence. Students are expected to manage their own schedules, actively engage with faculty members, and take responsibility for their research outcomes. According to Lin, the experience reinforced the importance of stepping beyond one’s comfort zone, communicating proactively, and taking initiative when entering new research fields.
Learning to Ask New Scientific Questions
At UC Davis, Pei-Hsuan Li is conducting research in satellite communications. She explained that NYCU’s rigorous academic training provided a strong theoretical and practical engineering foundation, while her experience in the United States introduced her to a research culture centered on exploration and discovery.
Rather than beginning with clearly defined problems and predetermined solutions, Li said research often starts with uncertainty. Researchers are encouraged to challenge assumptions and propose new directions, shifting the emphasis from solving existing problems to asking questions that generate new knowledge.
At the SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, operated by Stanford University, Yen-An Chen is contributing to the development of a testing system for a large-scale particle physics experiment. Collaborating with researchers from diverse countries and disciplines has provided Chen with firsthand experience of how major international scientific projects are organized and strengthened her interest in pursuing an international research career.
Bridging Academic Research and Industry
Beyond university laboratories, the program also introduces students to Silicon Valley’s technology ecosystem.
NYCU faculty members and students visited the Science and Technology Division of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) in San Francisco, where they met Taiwanese professionals and alumni working in the United States. The discussions provided valuable insights into graduate education, research opportunities, and career development in Silicon Valley.
The delegation also visited global technology company BizLink through an exchange arranged by Roger Liang, Chairman of BizLink and President of the NYCU Electrical Engineering Alumni Association. Company executives shared perspectives on BizLink’s global operations, technology strategy, talent development, and the competencies required to succeed in an international business environment.
Preparing Globally Competitive Engineers
Kai-Ten Feng, Chair of NYCU’s Department of Electrical Engineering, emphasized that the department seeks to cultivate graduates with more than technical excellence.
“We want our students to become engineers who possess not only strong technical expertise but also a global perspective, interdisciplinary capabilities, and an innovative mindset,” Feng said.
Looking ahead, the department plans to further strengthen partnerships with leading universities, overseas alumni, and international companies to create broader opportunities for students pursuing careers in global research and the technology sector.
Caption: NYCU electrical engineering students and faculty members visited BizLink as part of the department’s Northern California summer research and industry program. NYCU alumnus and BizLink Chairman Roger Liang is pictured fourth from the left in the front row.
